Monthly Archives: January 2015

It is sad, but I am back again from the Antarctic. I learned a lot and can understand some things much better now. Reading the diaries and letters from the early explorers helped me down there to see many details much clearer (landscape, light, distances, temperature, windchill, and much more); however, it helps me now to understand their writing so much better. The time in the field was very exciting and the life at Scott Base is interesting. The people there are so helpful and it is amazing how they work there with such a calmness and precision. In comparison to the old huts or the life on the ships, when trapped into the ice, it is very comfortable to stay at the station but it has its restrictions – still. The weather is unpredictable and can be merciless and the daily comforts are very vulnerable as we have seen with the water supply.

I hope that was not my only trip to the ice and the next time, if there is a next time, I hope I can see the huts (Terra Nova Hut and Shackleton Hut). As historian it is an extraordinary experience to see the huts with your own eyes. The Discovery Hut is so much smaller than it appears in photographs and it was quite cold in there.